An original setting

The museum is located in the old General Hospital built by the architect Sabatini under the orders of Charles III of Spain, and was designated a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1977. It is home to one of the world’s most highly-prized permanent collections.

The museum’s collections come from two sources, the old MEAC (Spanish Museum of Contemporary Art) collections and acquisitions made by the museum itself, in addition to works bequeathed by the Catalan artists Salvador Dalí and Joan Miró. The permanent collection is located on the second floor, divided into rooms dedicated to Nonell, Anglada Camarasa, Iturrino, Zuloaga, Solana and María Blanchard, among other early 20th-century Spanish painters; the Cubist movement, Picasso, Dalí, Miró, and a room entitled "Ideas". Temporary exhibitions are held in the museum’s main venue, the Velázquez Palace and the Crystal Palace. The latest trends by the newest up-and-coming artists are on display in the area called "Espacio UNO", which occupies the ground floor of the main building. Picasso's "Guernica" is one of the most important works exhibited here.

The museum was enlarged in 2005 to create new exhibition areas. The area devoted to the permanent collection has been increased by over 50%, making the Reina Sofia one of the largest contemporary art museums in the world today. The extension comprises three buildings, mainly dedicated to temporary collections. There is also an auditorium seating 500 people and another smaller one with 200 seats, along with a large arts and humanities library.

Essential works

Temporary exhibitions

Exhibition: Really useful knowledge

The Reina Sofía National Art Centre hosts this exhibition comprising historical and other more recent works to explore the issue of what could today be considered "really useful knowledge".

Free admission: Monday to Friday, 7-9 pm; Saturdays, 7-9 pm; Sundays, 3-7 pm; 18 April, 18 May, 12 October and 6 December; and for under 18s, students up to 25 years, Youth Card holders, over 65s, large families, disabled persons and ICOM members (International Council of Museums), with ID.